FACTS ABOUT 
CANTALOUPES 









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Copyrighted 1912, by 

The Rocky Ford Cantaloupe 
Seed Breeders' Association 

Rockv Ford, Colorado 



The Rocky Ford Cantaloupe 
Seed Breeders* Association 



Incorporated 11)0}> 



Rocky Ford, Colorado 




The Facts About 
Cantaloupes 



A Treatise on Cantaloupe Growing, Giving the Best 

Cultural Practice and Experience of Growers 

in the Special Cantaloupe Growing 

Districts of the United 

States 




THIRD REVISION 



Copyright 1912, and Published by 

The Rocky Ford Cantaloupe Seed Breeders' Association 

Rocky Ford, Colo. 



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Plate No. 1— The culls and immature cantaloupes piled to be cut for seed, after 

a harvest of 300 crates per acre. A common practice 

with growers around Rocky Ford. 




Plate No. 2— A pile of average cantaloupes from one of our best bred strains, 

Rust-Resistant Pollock, salmon tint No. 25. 

Note the contrast. 



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©CIA331217 

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The Facts About Cantaloupes 

Published by 
THE ROCKY FORD CANTALOUPE SEED BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION. 



INTRODUCTION 

The cantaloupe in its season is probably the most popular fruit on 
the American table; appearing prominently on every first class menu. 

The total consumption in the United States, amounting to many thou- 
sands of carloads, besides the local home grown product which can hardly 
be estimated, indicating an industry of great importance. 

From the growers' standpoint, however, the story of the melon in- 
dustry is filled with disappointments and failures, difficulties and dis- 
heartening returns, which are all but discouraging at times, yet each season 
some growers are making a decided success of the crop, either through 
a better experience, more favorable conditions, or exceptional opportunities; 
nlthough the grower himself may not always realize the determining ele- 
ments of his success, but to a careful observer, it is evident that many of 
the factors that cause failures in cantaloupes, could be overcome by a 
better grasp of essential points; for instance, a better knowledge of the 
experience of other growers, a fuller understanding of the needs of the 
markets, the best methods of harvesting and handling the crop, and the 
most favorable system of marketing for the highest returns. 

To this end the Rocky Ford Cantaloupe Seed Breeders' Association 
has championed the cause of better cantaloupes, primarily by furnishing 
the highest grade of seed that it is possible to develop, but also by fur- 
nishing the fullest information regarding cantaloupes within our reach, 
thus enabling many growers to make a success of their crop. 

For the third time we have revised our cultural treatise, in order to 
include the latest and best information obtainable, and this booklet is 
presented with our compliments to growers whether customers of ours or 
not; and more than that, we invite any inquiries concerning points that 
we may not have touched upon. 

We already feel that through correspondence with our customers we 
have a personal acquaintance with a large number of growers throughout 
the United States and the words of encouragement and satisfaction that 
many have expressed, is evidence to us that our efforts have been appre- 
ciated, and we are inspired to redouble our efforts to meet the needs of 
different cantaloupe growing districts of the country. 

In starting this movement, we had to take the means at hand, 
though far from perfect, we selected the best strains of cantaloupes known 




*> Ky^i^J 1 BREEDtRS ASSOClATlOr 



to the Rocky Ford district, and by systematic efforts in seed selection, 
we attempted to improve uniformity of type and quality. Five years ago 
we were uncertain on points that today, experience has absolutely demon- 
strated, and the uniformity of results secured from our seed under a wide 
range of conditions, including some of the most adverse character in dif- 
ferent parts of the country, has surpassed our highest expectations; the 
reports of results justify our claim that we have the highest developed 
strains of Rocky Ford cantaloupe seed, in point of uniformity of type and 
superior quality of desirable traits to any found in the Rocky Ford district. 

To sell the highest grade of seed to the largest number of growers is 
our definite aim, and to this end we have endeavored to be consistent 
in our claims, conservative in our statements and truthful in our repre- 
sentations, for we hope to inspire confidence by frank, open methods of 
dealing with our customers, and win our reputation through the merits 
of the seed we produce; we are especially glad to welcome visitors who 
desire to investigate our system of breeding and methods of handling seed. 

Since our inception as an Association, we have openly criticized the 
practice of saving and selling seed produced from unmarketable canta- 
loupes; — "culls" and "left-overs" after harvest, which has been almost 
a universal practice in the Rocky Ford district for a number of years, and 
we are glad to know that our efforts in this line have been appreciated to 
the extent that there is a growing sentiment against it, so that the demand 
for cheap cull seed has appreciably declined in recent years: no stronger 
proof of the strength of our position, and the need of this agitation, and 
its value to the cantaloupe industry, could be had than the alarm mani- 
fested by those engaged in these practices, and indicated by the determined 
efforts to check the movement toward high grade seed, by arguing that 
good seed sent abroad would be an injury to the Rocky Ford district; and 
also to silence those who were advocating the reform, but the only 
vulnerable point of attack, seemed to be the fact that one member of our 
firm was in the employ of the State Agricultural College, accordingly 
sensational charges were preferred against him, before the State Board, 
and heralded far and wide. It was claimed that "he" was working to the 
detriment of the farmers in the vicinity of Rocky Ford by encouraging the 
development of cantaloupe growing in other states, to come in competition 
with cantaloupes from Rocky Ford!" A sentiment which needless to say 
was not shared by the community at large. 

A lecture tour made by this member of our firm in the interest of a 
railroad company, who desired to develop the cantaloupe industry along 
their lines in another state, was the immediate cause of open hostilities, 
but suffice it to say, that these charges were fully investigated by the 
Board of Control and all the charges were dismissed as unwarranted and 
unsupported by the evidence. Garbled accounts of the affair were sent to 
some of the leading trade journals, but "The Kansas City Packer" took 
pains to investigate, and the real facts of the case were published in their 
issue of June 8, 1912. Those desiring more details of the fight for good 
seed are referred to that issue. 



PJ-'^l 5REFDERSASSOCIAT10 



We have canvassed our customers in the various cantaloupe districts 
of the United States for any new information on cantaloupes, and we have 
embodied in this booklet what we consider the most essential points in 
regard to good seed, cultural care, harvesting and marketing, also experi- 
ences and suggestions on insects and plant diseases, which we trust will 
prove of much interest and real value to all commercial growers. 



Points for Commercial Growers to Consider 

In order to prepare our readers for a better appreciation and under- 
standing of some of the determining factors that may result in success or 
failure in cantaloupe growing we will ask consideration of the following 
questions: 

First, Are your seasons long enough, and the climatic conditions favor- 
able for cantaloupe growing? 

Second, Are you accessible to markets, or good railroad facilities? 

Third, Will your cantaloupes come in competition with those from 
other districts and cause a glutted market? 

Fourth, Have you some peculiar advantages which will enable you to 
meet competition? 

Fifth, Have you had experience in handling cantaloupes? and do you 
realize that it requires under favorable conditions 100 to 150 acres to 
profitably ship in car load lots? 

Sixth, Have you any marketing agencies to assist in disposing of your 
crop? or will you depend upon open consignments? 

Seventh, Have you considered your market demands as to varieties? 
and do you know what strains of seed would be best adapted to your con- 
ditions? 

Eighth, What importance do you place on good seed breeding? Do 
you know that common ordinary seed may produce as fine specimens as 
the best seed? but that the well bred seed will produce a greater per cent 
of uniform, marketable cantaloupes? 

Ninth, Are you aware that the highest grade of seed can not insure 
you a crop under adverse conditions, of weather, poor soil or careless 
management? 

Tenth, Do you realize that one failure, or even several, does not prove 
that success is not possible? 

It is not our purpose to call attention to all the possibilities of failures 
nor suggest all the points of encouragement, but if a grower can realize the 
essential points, we feel that the cantaloupe industry will be on a more 
stable footing. 

In the first place the large acreage for an individual grower should 
be discouraged, except in the special cantaloupe growing districts where 
growers have grown into experience in handling large acreages. If a 

5 




^(n^i^pM I Breeders ASSOC! ATioN 




Plate No. 3. 




Plate No. 4 — A general view of two of our seed fields. 
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H'^'^i- BreedzrsAssociaiiok 



large acreage is required to make car load shipments, it would be best 
an aggregation of a large number of small acreages handled by individuals 
working in co-operation. 

Specialized cantaloupe growing has been made a success in a few 
localities by a large number of growers, but has been attended with ups 
and downs, of overproduction and glutted markets. But we feel safe to 
say from experience, that there is a great opportunity for a few growers 
in a great many localities to specialize in cantaloupes, to work up a fancy 
trade, and to study to cater to that trade and supply them with only the 
best, that will result in success where now only indifferent results are 
secured. The grower who considers only the producing side of the in- 
dustry has not measured one-half of the question, for marketing to a 
profit is the biggest side. 

The problem is almost too large for any one to handle, but we hope 
to touch on the most essential facts. 



THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD SEED 

It is often argued that seed saved from over-ripe cantaloupes are 
just as good for seed, which on first thought might seem true, but if we 
ask, why is a cantaloupe over-ripe, when the fields have been picked over 
twice each day as they are in the Rocky Ford district? It is true it may 
have been overlooked, but more probably the majority of "over ripes" 
are so because there is an inherent weakness toward rapid ripening, in 
reality a poor keeping quality, hence if we plant seed saved from over- 
ripe cantaloupes that are culled from where the bulk of the cantaloupes 
are marketed, we are propogating just the traits that we do not want in 
our cantaloupes for market. 

Seed breeding means more than the selection of seed from an average 
crop, that would tend only to produce average results. 

The same laws that govern the breeding of animals also control the 
improvement of plants. Any fair minded man will acknowledge that 
thoroughbred animals are more profitable than scrubs, or even average 
stock, and the same is true of pedigreed plants. But we must get the 
true conception of seed selection, — not the idea of the uninformed farmer 
who, with his wife spent their evenings for many days, selecting seed 
corn from a lot of shelled corn that he had purchased for feed. And the 
man, who selects his cantaloupe seed at the packing shed is almost as far 
wrong, for the plant that produced the seed has not been considered. 

Nature makes selections that the grower may often overlook, for 
instance cool nights and a short season will act as a natural selection to 
develop the early maturing types, hence, the seed from the arid region in 
high altitudes has proven to be superior to seed grown in the humid sec- 
tions, both for vigor and early maturity. The big cantaloupe growers from 
California and the Southern states realize this, for they look to Rocky 



s 1<9^'^M Breeders AssociATio 



Ford each year for their cantaloupe seed, and all testify that they get 
earlier and more uniform cantaloupes from the Rocky Ford grown seed. 

Yet because cantaloupes from Colorado are the last to appear on the 
markets, some might suppose that the seed from there would be late in 
maturing, when in fact the very opposite is true. 



Some of the Points That Seeds Will Not Overcome 

Poor results are often attributed to poor seed, which is doubtless often 
the case, but there is evidence to show that complaints about seed may 
sometimes be made when the trouble is due to other causes; for instance, 
two fields may be planted with the same stock of seed, but having different 
soil fertility, or cultural care, may show widely different results in yield, 
size and uniformity of the crop. 

As for example, we have had a report from a grower in Texas who 
complained that our seed produced too many "jumbo" sizes, while from 
southwest Arkansas we had another complain from the same strain of seed, 
that the cantaloupes were running too small, yet this grower admitted that 
dry weather checked his vines some. 

Some people seem to think that the crop should show absolute uni- 
formity; this is next to impossible, although a study of the ideal representa- 
tions and the elaborate descriptions in some of the seed catalogues might 
convey this impression. The fact is, cantaloupes do vary, even in the best 
strains of seed; one can frequently find on one vine, one cantaloupe that 
is very long, while another may be short and round; this is especially true 
if the vine has made an unusual growth on account of rich soil or other 
favorable conditions. 

The size of the cavity, the development of the netting, and the appear- 
ance of the cantaloupes will vary on different types of soil to some extent, 
and different seasons will lead the grower to think that the seed was not up 
to standard of the year before, when the seed was equally good but the 
season was not as favorable in some respect that the grower overlooks. 
We have seen the same seed out of the same sack planted on different days, 
one just before a rain that was cold and the other after it had warmed up, 
one would come up slowly small and puny, while the other make a fine 
growth. 

Any influence that tends to retard or stimulate the gi-owth of the 
vines, will also, in some way or another, affect the results of the crop; 

such influence may not be serious, possibly only a few over-sized melons, 
making packing a little more difficult, but one must expect some varia- 
tions due to environment. These may be favorable or unfavorable, and 
they may or may not be under the control of the grower. There is a 
long list of these factors, — character of the soil, fertility, moisture sup- 
ply, climate, insect pests, plant diseases, and cultural care; all of these 



must be considered, and controlled if possible, if we would secure the 
greatest uniformity in results. 

Heredity of the seed is anotlier great factor influencing results and 
one that is often difficult to determine since there are always the two 




Plate No. 5 — Sluice box lur wa.shiny seed. 

forces, environment and heredity, at work, and which of these causes 
has produced a given effect will often be the question. 

The only fair way to pass judgment upon the nierits of a certain 
stock of seed is to compare its results witli those of other seed under 
exactly the same contUtions. It is the only means of reading heredity 
in any system of plant breeding. The methods of plant breeding for the 
different crops are essentially the same, namely, a nursery test of the 
seed from individual plants, selected for given traits, and which are 
then grown under uniform conditions to determine their relative merit. 



Our Method of Developing High Grade Seeds 

For five years we have been selecting a large number of fine individual 
specimens of cantaloupes, and saving such seed separately and then plant- 
ing them in adjacent plats, at the same time, under as uniform conditions 
as possible, to test out their breeding tendencies, — this we have called 
our nursery test. 



The individual plant is the unit of variation, and lienre, sliould always 
be made the unit of selection. The results of systematic seed selection 
have clearly shown that there is a wide variation in different plants from 
even fairly pure seed, and that the more nearly a strain of seed can be 
the progeny from a single plant, the more uniform and strong its hereditary 
tendencies will be, provided that the individual plant is not a hybrid, in 
which case it may break up into a variety of types; but even in long es- 
tablished strains of pure bred seed there is still the continual "reverting" 
or "breeding back," so that it is not uncommon to find a cantaloupe that 




Plate No. 6 — A Drying House. 

is a little "off," so if the general average of the crop is pretty uniformly 
true, one need not suspect a mixture by the appearance of a little variation. 

Sometimes a variation is along very desirable lines, for there are 
numerous instances where the selection of the seed from a single plant 
that seemed different, has been the beginning of a new strain much 
superior to the original; such was the history of the disease-resistant 
Pollock cantaloupe, while the Ryan's Early Watters was started from a 
single early maturing plant. 

There is plenty of seed saving, but comparatively little seed selec- 
tion along systematic lines, and there is still less seed breeding for im- 
proved hereditary traits. Usually twenty-five hills are planted in each plat, 
and all are given uniform conditions that the differences that may develop 
may reasonably be ascribed to heredity, and the new selections made ac- 
cordingly. 

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" K^y^^ I 6REEDERS ASSOCI ATIO 



A number of the choicest individual fruits, from the most desirable 
plats are again saved for the next years nursery test, and the plats that 
run most uniformly alike along desirable liuos, are then cut for stock 
seed, from which we grow our commercial supply. In this way the weak 
traits and undesirable tendencies of any individual plant may be eliminated 
more and more each year, while the strong desirable traits are retained 
and thus the average uniformity gradually increased as far as possible. 

It will readily be seen that it requires the same care to maintain 
a grade of quality, that it did to build it up in the first place; the tendency 
to deteriorate being always present. 

The first nursery grown, before the seed had been bred up much, had 
the appearance of a large checker board, because of the many variations. 
Some were disease-resistant, and some were not; some early and some 
late; some prolific and others not, while in netting, color of the flesh, and 
the size and form of the fruit, the contrasts were also very marked. Plates 
Nos. 7 and 8 show the contrast in disease-resistance of representative hills 
from the resistant and non-resistant caataloupes, both grown under the 
same conditions. 

Aside from improving and combining desirable traits, the nursery test 
for cantaloupes has another strong point of merit, namely, keeping the 
stock seed pure. It is evident that if seed from individual cantaloupes are 
planted separately In different plats, it would be easy for a keen observer 
to detect the presence of a hybrid and thus eliminate that plant from being 
saved for stock seed. 

So marked have been the results, and advantages of the breeding 
from individual plants to secure uniformity and desirable traits, that no 
one who has followed it up intelligently can doubt the efficiency of the 
method, but at the same time it is very evident that it takes care and a 
good deal of time to accomplish results, which at first may seem easy. 

Seed breeding is practical; it is not a theory or a fancy, but a rea- 
sonable, result-producing process. The most successful farmers are giving 
it careful consideration, nor does the improvement of seed add a burden 
of labor and expense; but comes as an added asset to the grower's wealth, 
and increases his pride in his crop. 

Comparatively few men are capable of producing their seed for if 
they are growing cantaloupes for market, their time and attention must 
be occupied with the crop, and to select, cut and cure high grade canta- 
loupe seed requires no little training and experience, and some little 
equipment. 

The grower who buys his seed should deal directly with a reliable 
breeder who is qualified, and is making a specialty of growing the crop 
for seed; a grower should not submit his seed order for "'lowest bid" if 
he expects to get the best seed. 



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Plate No. 7— A hill of Disease-iit'sisiaiii plants. 




Plate No. S — A hill of Non-Resistant plants. 
12 



fl^i:^ I Breeders AssociATio 



CONDITIONS AND CULTURAL CAF^E 

CLIMATE. 

The cantaloupe seems to thrive in ratlier a wide range of soil and 
(■limatic conditions, being grown to some extent in almost all of the states, 
although from the standpoint of money returns, the area of very success- 
ful cantaloupe culture is somewhat limited, yet it appears that it is more 
the question of cultural care, disease and insect pests, or favorable market- 
ing facilities which determine the success of the industry in a given 
locality, rather than the specific soil or climatic conditions. 




Plate No. 9 — An ideal seed cavity. 

Climatic conditions within certain limits are essential to successful 
cantaloupe culture, and the consideration of this topic may answer many 
questions as to the adaptability of some sections for melon growing. First, 
there should be a long, hot siimmer, with about five months free from 
killing frosts, with a daily maximum temperature between 80 and 95 
degrees during June, July and August, with a night temperature seldom 
falling below 60 degrees; four months may mature good cantaloupes, but 
with so short a season, frost would probably cut short the profits of the 
crop, unless, as is done in some of the northern states having too short 
season, the plants are started under frames in sods or paperbands; Second, 
there should be plenty of bright sunshine, without excessive rainfalls; 
this will secure good quality and lessen the liability to the attacks of 
fungus troubles, that are so often fatal to the melon crop in rainy sections 
or regions of heavy dews; without doubt the clear bright sunshine and 

13 



fHf©<^kYl=bRDG^TAl£)UPEjEED 

(Ji'^l<9<-Mj^ ^Breeders AssociATio 



the arid conditions of Southeastern Colorado, accounts for the high flavor 
and the fine qualities found in the Rocky Ford cantaloupes as is evidenced 
in the poor quality in the cantaloupes witli an abnormal rain fall, which 
sometimes occurs. 

Sunlight is very essential to the full development of cantaloupes, for 
the quality is perceptibly inferior in shaded spots; the dry atmospheric 
conditions cause rapid transpiration of the moisture, from the leaves, thus 
inducing a quick movement of sap or plant juices which increases the 
power to carry and deposit plant foods, thus developing and concentrating 
the spice of flavor and producing the very highest qualities. 

We do not recommend cantaloupes to be planted in an orchard, where 
there is any shade to speak of as they will not do well. 



SOIL AND FERTILITY 

It is conceded by all experienced cantaloupe growers, that the canta- 
loupe thrives best in a warm, sandy loam; clay loam and other types 
of soil may produce a good crop if the tilth and fertility are good, but 




Plate No. 10 — Contrast in 



growth of vines: on the left alfalfa sod; on the right 
old worn land. 



heavy soils are apt to be cold and backward, causing lateness in matur- 
ing, and it is also generally believed that the nature of some types of 
soils seriously influences the form, size and other qualities of the canta- 
loupe. It is true, however, that the average size will vary in different 

14 



seasons; in seasons of very favorable growth the cantaloupes will run 
to a large proportion of "jumbo melons" (larger than standard) in seasons 
less favorable, there will be more small or pony sizes. An actual test 
of a crop on a piece of land, is the best proof of the fitness of the soil for 
that crop; for while a chemical analysis may theoretically seem favorable, 
in practice it may prove otherwise. 

There are many factors that may influence the results; but in general 
the land that will grow other vine crops, such as cucumbers, pumpkins 
and squash, will probably grow good cantaloupes. 

Soil for cantaloupes should have good drainage both surface and 
subsoil, and in irrigated regions the land must have a uniform slope or 
grade so that the water will run even, without soaking or flooding the 
hills; if there is one point above another in cantaloupe culture that needs 
special emphasis, it is the caution against oversoakiiig; or flooding of the 
surface of the field; this will be further discussed under the topic "Irri- 
gation," but the point must be held in mind in many of the operations, 
and in selecting the field, to have it well drained on the surface as well as 
the subsoil. 

If no detrimental soil conditions, like seepage or alkali, exist, the 
question of fertility is usually the most important one in relation to the 
soil; barnyard manure is an old standby, and cantaloupes of all crops, 
will respond as well to well-rotted-compost better than any form of com- 
mercial fertilizer, but experience of the most convincing sort has shown 




Plate No. 11 — The contrast between an imperfect and a perfect Cantaloupe. 

that soil cannot be made to produce good cantaloupes indefinitely, year 
after year, by applying manure and artificial fertilizers. 

Aside from fertility there are also the questions of plant diseases, 
soil bacteria and unbalanced food supply. Crop-rotation has proven to 
be the most practical and adequate means of preserving not only the 

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"^l^S^^ I Breeders association 



proper fertility, but tlie nearest approach to securing uninfested soil i on- 
ditions, hence, crop rotation becomes an important phase of cantaloupe 
culture. 

Alfalfa, to the western ranches occupies the same place that clover 
does to the eastern farmer, or the cow pea to the southern planter; 
these crops for their respective sections, provide ideal soil fertility and 
tilth for the cantaloupe. In Colorado alfalfa sod is the ideal soil prepara- 
tion for cantaloupes, and a comparison of the results en alfalfa sod with 
even well manured old land will convince the most skeptical. Plate No. 10. 
Experience has demonstrated that early matured cantaloupes can hardly 
be expected on soil following a heavy fertility consuming crop, like sugar 
beets or corn, a good late crop being the usual result. Nearly all the fine 
records of early yields and high prices have been made on soil that was 
in a perfect state of tilth and fertility. 

Soil can be made too rich in applying manures, and the principal 
point in the application of fertilizers is to have a reasonable amount, and 
well incorporated in the soil, and in the case of barnyard manure, to have 
it well rotted. In Colorado, manuring in the hill, has been found to have 
no advantage over the broadcast method, owing probably to the wide 
spreading root system of the plant; commercial fertilizers have not been 
profitably used in Colorado. 



PREPARING LAND FOR CANTALOUPES 

The secret of getting soil in that ashy, mellow condition so desirable 
for cantaloupes, is one largely of experience, for handling soil in the same 
manner on different farms will seldom get the same results; one may 




Plate No. 12 — Leveling- Land, and Finins the Soil. 
16 



" 1<Q,LIVT I 5PEEDCR5 ASSOCI ATIO 



be a clay, the other a sandy loam. The texture and the previous cropping 
has much to do with the way soil can be handled. In general, there must 
be moisture in the soil during the winter to secure the mellowing effect of 
the frost, and the soil must not be handled too wet. If clay or adobe 
"packs," it will dry hard and lumpy; real sandy soil can be handled wet 
with less risks than other soils. The soil should be friable so that the 
harrow will pulverize it without clogging as it does in mud, and yet not 
so dry as to leave the field full of clods. 

Before plowing, the soil should be well disked for two reasons. 
First, to thoroughly mix the soil with any fertilizer previously applied, 
and second, to pulverize the soil on the surface, so that after the work 
of preparation is complete, the bottom of the furrow will be as finely 
prepared as the top. Plowing for cantaloupes is usually made to the 
depth of five to six inches; in the arid region the plowed land must be 
closely harrowed behind the plow, to prevent too rapid drying of the 
surface, and should be closed up by flneing the soil on top; this is usually 
accomplished with the steel harrow with the teeth turned nearly flat, or 
with a float or land leveler, a fine dust mulch will check evaporation, and 
thus conserve the soil moisture, to enable a more thorough harrowing 
to complete the preparation. Preparing the land some time before planting 
is advisable as the soil becomes settled, and the seed will germinate more 
readily and a more uniform stand will be secured. The soil should also 
be harrowed after cold si)riiig rains, to check evaporation, which will tend 
to aid in warming up the soil. Before laying out the rows to plant, while 
the surface of the soil is dry, the field should be carefully leveled with a 
land leveler; See Plate No. 12; removing all the high points and filling 
the hollows and dead furrows, so that in irrigating the water will run 
uniformly without flooding the rows, or oversoaking any of the hills. 




Plate Xo. 13— Markin 



()ut Cantaloupe 
17 



ws. with Two-row Marker. 




f 



^P '^^KB^'^n Breeders AssociATiOK 

About planting time, the field Is laid off with a marker in rows five 
to six feet apart, in the opposite direction to the rows to be planted, which 
are laid off with the irrigation furrows, in the best direction for water 
to run, the irrigation rows are usually made about the same distance 
apart, usually six feet, these furrows can be made with a single shovel 
plow or a two row marker or furrower, shown in Plate No. 13. In the 
non-irrigated regions these furrows could serve for surface drainage after 
heavy rains. 



PLANTING AND SECURING A STAND 

The first requisite in planting cantaloupes, is to have the weather 
wai-ui, for warmth and moisture are the two essentials in seed germina- 
tion. :\Iany growers make the mistake of planting while the ground 
is yet cold with freezing temperature occurring every few nights. If per- 




Piate No. 14— I'lanliny Cantaluuyes with a Hand Planter. 

chance the days are warm enough to germinate the seed, the plants are 
stunted and make a slow tantalizing growth, should they be so fortunate 
as to escape these late frosts of spring. 

As a general rule, a few days before the latest freeze may be ex- 
pected, is as early as it is safe to plant. At Rocky Ford, May 1st, marks 
the usual date of the latest frost, but even then there are risks to run, 
as killing frosts have occurred as late as the tenth of May, or even later. 
It is comniou for cantaloupes planted as early as the tenth of May to 
begin to ripen as soon as the earlier planted seed, so as a rule it is not to 

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cl^f'^M Breeders AssociATio 



ATION 



much advantage to plant very early; tne grower must be the judge in 
regard to his soil and climate. 

There are two systems of planting cantaloupes, — the drill-row and in 
hills. In the hill system, the field is check-rowed like corn, to permit cul- 
tivating in each direction, the rows usually being laid off five to six feet 
apart, and the hills about the same distance in the rows. By dropping 
eight to ten seed to the hill, it will require about a pound of seed to plant 
an acre. It is advisable to plant plenty of seed in order to secure a good 
stand, allowing for the attacks of the cutworms and other destructive 
agencies. 

There are two methods of planting cantaloupes in hills, — ^with a hoe, 
and with a hand planter, commonly called a "snapper" shown in Plate 
No. 14. The rotary type of this form of planter is usually the most satis- 
factory, but some modifications are usually necessary to fit it for dropping 
cantaloupe seed. 

By filling the holes of one of the regular corn dropping plates with 
lead, then by boreing out with a three-eights drill bit and by testing and 



'■'\!^Pill*li?' 





Plate No. lii— Planting Cantaloupes with Garden Drill. 

enlarging the holes it can be regulated to drop quite well; the seed box 
will also need close fitting, to prevent the thin flat seed from leaking out. 
A block or stop should be attached to the blades at about the depth to 
plant, about one and a half inches, this will insure uniform depth, which 
is essential. Great care should be exercised to have the depression or 
hole formed in the soil by the thrust of the planter, filled or leveled with 
the foot; otherwise the seed will dry out, field mice will more readily find 
the hills, and a hard dash of rain will form a hard chunk, or crust right 
over the seed. The surface of the soil should be dry to insure good work 

21 




"'^1<9^'^'' l~ Breeders AssociATioK 



with the planter. A man with some experience can plant from three to 
five acres per day with a planter, while one acre per day is about all that 
can be accomplished with a hoe. 

The principal argument for the hill system of growing cantaloupes, is 
the economy in labor, for more of the weeding and hoeing can be done 
with a horse. 

In the drill system the rows are usually put about the same distance 
apart, but the seed are sown in drill rows, the seed being dropped every 
two or three inches; this method requires about two to three pounds of 
seed per acre. The seed is sown either with a hand drill, shown in Plate 
No. 15, the horse planter or the sugar beet drill is used in the Rocky Ford 
district. The important point is to get the seed dropped uniformly, and 
the drill set to plant at a uniform depth, — not over one and a half inches; 
as soon as the plants are nicely up they should be thinned to single plants, 
far enough apart to permit hoeing between. After the danger from insect 
injuries is over, and about the time the first blossoms appear, the plants 
should be thinned again to one plant every two feet, on the average; the 
tendency at this point is to leave the plants too thick, especially if the 
plants are extra fine. The most advanced plants are selected, which is 
the cause of the drilled fields usually maturing earlier than the hill 
planted, and the earlier development usually compensates for the extra 
cost of the increased amount of seed, and the added labor of thinning. 

The essential points in planting are to get the seed planted at a 
uniform depth, and at a uniform distance from the irrigation furrow; 
to have the soil fine and firmed just right, to skillfully conserve and apply 
moisture, and to keep a crust from interfering with the young seedlings. 

In the arid regions the seed is usually planted about one-half inch 
deeper than it is expected the plants will come through, in order to hold 
the moisture line to the seed. When the seed is well sprouted the hills 
are raked off with a garden rake, removing the crust and any clods that 
might interfere. Sometimes the field is harrowed across the rows with 
good results, especially where the rows are drilled in. This matter of 
"raking off" and keeping the surface fine over the hills is a very import- 
ant point to be observed in securing a good stand. 



IRRIGATION 

The moisture problem in cantaloupe growing is a very important 
one. Some times in the humid sections, there is too much water, and it 
becomes the question of how to save the crop, but little can be said here, 
except to select well drained fields for the cantaloupes and provide the field 
with furrows, like the irrigation furrow, to carry off the excess rain water, 
and to plant on somewhat raised hills or ridges. 

In the arid sections the moisture for the crop as a rule depends on 
the irrigation furrow, and the skill of the grower to so manipulate the soil 
and water. Too many look upon irrigation as a simple process of run- 
ning water through the rows, or over the ground, paying little or no at- 
tention to the needs or demands, or the dangers of flooding or oversoaking 
the land. When soil is completely saturated with water, the air is prac- 
tically all driven out and the soil settles, which defeats the very object 
and purpose of plowing and the other work of soil preparation, which will 
dry hard and nothing but frost can ever mellow it as before. 

The application of water to all such crops as cantaloupes should be 
by sub-irrigation, that is, the moisture should soak through the soil to 
the plant or seed, from the irrigation furrow, without the surface of the 

22 



FfecKYKrs^s^^ 



soil, except in the furrows coming in contact witli the water; this is essen- 
tial, not only for the needs of the plants, but also the same amount of 
water will serve a longer time the needs of the plants, the water rights 
in some ditches makes it necessary to conserve the moisture as long as 
possible. 

In order to supply the moisture uniformly to the seed along the row, 
the seed must have been planted at a uniform distance from the water line, 
about four to six inches, to insure uniformity in the soaking of the rows, 
the rows should be "logged" out, or smoothed out with a short piece of 
log about the size of the furrow; this will cause the water to run through 
quickly, and by regulating the amount in each row, the rows will become 
uniformly wet without flooding or soaking the ground. Plate No. 16 
shows a field being properly irrigated, to germinate the seed. When the 




Plate No. 16 — Irrigating- to Germinate Seed, Without Flooding. 

water can be gotten through the rows quickly and the amount regulated 
to supply the rows about as fast as it soaks in the soil, the upper and 
lower parts of the row will become wet at about the same time and 
amount, with practically little water wasted. 

The idea is to soak the rows until the water has fully reached the 
seed, while the surface over the hill remains nearly dry; this is ideal coii- 
ditiou for germination and is sufficient for the needs of the plants in all 
the early irrigations. Later the rows can be soaked till moisture shows 
on the surface back to the plants. 

Under Colorado conditions, one irrigation after planting, and one 
again about the time the plants are coming up, is ordinarily all that is 
required until after the first cultivation, after that irrigation and cultiva- 

23 




f K9J-^ i~~ BREEDfRSASSOClAIlON 

tion alternate each other every week or ten days, the exact number of 
times depending on the weather and soil conditions. 

The amount of irrigation necessary to secure the best results in canta- 
loupe culture, is subject to so many varying factors, that it is impossible 
to lay down an exact rule. In the first place, the cantaloupe does not 
thrive in a wet soil, as evidenced by the injury and poor quality of the 
crop in seasons of excessive rain.' The needs of the crop in the first stages 
are very small, and as light watering as possible to secure the needed 
moisture, is best: then as the plant develops the amount of irrigation 
should be increased, light, frequent irrigations, rather than heavy soakings 
at long intervals has proven to be the best plan. 

When the vines are nearly grown and set full of developing fruit 
a heavier irrigation is then needed by the plant, but as soon as the fruit 
have reached their growth, light waterings should again be the rule; to 
insure the best quality, little if any irrigation should be applied during 
the picking season, just enough to prevent severe wilting: it is at this 
time that the cantaloupe "rust" fungus makes its appearance, and moisture 
and dews are favorable to its development. 

The dryer the season, the better the quality in cantaloupes, is an 
axiom that should induce more careful irrigation among cantaloupe grow- 
ers in the irrigated sections. 

The relation of irrigation to early setting of cantaloupes is a some- 
what mooted question: there are growers who argue the use of frequent 
irrigations during the setting period in order to secure a good set, but 
others prefer to keep their vines dry, even allowing them to show the 
need of moisture before they will permit irrigation during this stage. 

It is evident that the season and climatic conditions have more 
to do with the setting of fruit than the watering: there are experiences 
that might seem to support both theories: yet continued observations 
would indicate that a grower is not warranted in following either course 
to the extreme, but rather the medium plan of providing just enough 
moisture to secure an even, healthy growth all the way through, would 
seem to be most favorable condition. 

An excess of water in hot weather is apt to induce a heavy growth 
of vine at the expense of early "sets" due to the rank growth, and such 
succulent growth is also much more liable to succumb to the attack of 
diseases and insect pests. 



HOEING 

Hoeing the hills is of great importance, but it should be done with 
skill both as to the time and in the manner it is done, for careless hoeing 
IS a common error: if the seed has been properly planted in mellow 
soil and the irrigation properly applied, there is no reason for deep hoeing 
in and close to the hill, as it only disturbs the plant and dries out the 
soil: weeds can be destroyed by rather shallow hoeing. 

The dry, cloddy soil on the surface of the hill, should be removed 
and replaced with fine mellow soil drawn up from away from the hill, 
hilling up l^he plants as much as possible: even to almost covering the 
two seed leaves, this will protect the plants from wind, and in&ects to a 
large measure: but the most important feature of this process is the hold- 
ing of the moisture well upon the stems, affording the best condition for 
a long base for the development of the roots, as well as supplying the 
plant with moisture. If on the other hand, the soil in the hill is loosened 
up with the hoe and not hilled up by drawing the loosened soil to the 
plant with the hoe, the hill will usually dry out, and only a short portion 
of the stem be in moist soil to induce root development. 

24 




^^fec.vK.'iSocfe 



CULTIVATION 

A thorough preparation of the soil before it is planted to cantaloupes 
will very much lessen the necessity for so much cultivation afterwards, 
but a good deal depends on frequent and thorough tillage during the early 
stages of the growth of cantaloupes, at first it should be deep and thorough, 
but not close enough to disturb the plants; the cultivations should be more 
shallow and further from the hills as the plants develop. The grower who 
cultivates deep and close to the hill because the vines do not prevent this, 
is cutting off roots, setting back his crop more than he is doing good. He 
should understand the growth of the roots, for they form the counterpart 
of the vines on the surface, only they ramify the soil more thoroughly 
and to a greater distance than the length of the vines, so it is easily possi- 
ble to damage the crop by careless cultivation. Examinations in the soil 
between the rows will reveal the tiny rootlets very thick, four to five inches 
deep, hence surface tillage after the vines start should be the rule, in irri- 
gated regions of Colorado root pruning seems to be detrimental to the crop. 

In the humid areas of the South under heavy rain falls, experienced 
growers recommend deeper planting and deep thorough cultivations. They 
argue that deep cultivation will induce a deep root system, so if the 
season is excessively wet, the deep stirring will dry out the ground faster, 
and the root pruning will have the effect of checking the too rapid growth 
of vines that usually accompanies wet conditions and hot weather, and 
then on the other hand, the season proves to be a dry one, the heavy 
soil mulch will conserve moisture in the subsoil, and the deep root system 
will permit the plants to develop a good crop, while on the shallow stirred 
soil the crop will burn up. 



TOOLS USED IN CANTALOUPE CULTURE 

The fourteen-toothed cultivator, with a steel weeding knife bolted 
across between the two back teeth, so as to run just below the surface, 
an inch of two, has become the most popular tool for cultivating on land 
clean of alfalfa roots or trash. This gives ideal tillage, and practically 
kills all the weeds except in the hills. 

On alfalfa sod where the crowns would gather on the knife it is not 
so pleasant to use yet it will do very satisfactory work, but here the 
five-toothed cultivator is usually used; this tool is also used to furrow- 
out rows by closing it up and placing a large shovel on the rear shank. 
When the cantaloupes are "laid by" (cultivated and furrowed out the 
last time) the irrigating furrows are made somewhat larger than before 
and thy should be "logged out" so that water can make its way through 
the rows after the vines have covered the ditches, it is also a good plan 
to lay the vines around out of the furrows once, to train them as much 
as possible away from the furrows: this will keep many of the cantaloupes 
out of the ditch, though the vines will eventually nearly cover the ground. 

A two horse ten-toothed riding corn cultivator makes a splendid tool 
for large acreage. 

25 




'"5lt©Civu_ Breeders ASSOCIATE 




Plate Nu. 17 — The euiiimon tuols used in CantaUjupe culture. 



GENERAL CARE OF THE CROP 

If there is a secret in getting early cantaloupes, it is in growing 
them from start to finish in such a way that the growth is not checked 
at any time. The cantaloupe does not seem to have the power to rally 
from a check in growth or an injury of any kind; the set back, not only 
hinders the production of early fruits, but seriously affects the size and 
yield of the cantaloupes. There are numerous instances where unfavorable 
conditions of some kind, have checked the growth, in some part of a field 
that was planted and otherwise handled the same; invariably that portion 
of the field will show marked difference in size, netting or other qualities. 
The best promise of a good crop is a prompt and steady growth from germi- 
nation to maturity. 

The seedling period is the critical time in the development of a crop 
of cantaloupes, for it is at this stage that the check in growth usually 
occurs, from cold weather, high winds, lack of moisture or the attacks of 
insects. 

A knowledge of the manner of growth of the root system and de- 
velopment of the seedling, will in a measure explain the reasons for the 
steps taken and the precautions that are necessary at this time in handling 
the crop through this important period. 

The root system that first develops when the seed germinates, pene- 
trates almost directly down from the seed while the stem or radical is 
pushing its way to the surface. These little roots seem to form a tempor- 
ary support for the plant during the first two or three weeks, for up to 
this time the stem from the seed point to the top of the ground is smooth 
and white, with no evidence of the lateral roots. 

26 



The second root system develops from the stem about the time 
the fifth leaf appears, or four to five weeks after germination; these 
roots seem to form the main feeders of the plant, for the growth of the 
plant is almost insignificant until it feels the impulse of this larger and 
better root system. The question of good early growth and maturity 
almost hinges on the success of the farmer in supplying the conditions 
that will favor the early and proper development of this lateral, or main 
root system. It seems evident that the depth of planting and the manner 
of managing the soil in the hill has an important relation to the early de- 
velopment of these lateral roots. Experience teaches that seed planted 
much over two inches in depth are slow and difficult to germinate, being 
weakened by the long stem that is necessary to reach the surface, and on 
the other hand, if planting is too shallow, the seeds are apt to dry out, 
or if rain follows a crust will form, which must be removed, and that often 
exposes the seeds that are not planted at a sufficient depth, with fatal 
results, or leaves the plant with too shallow a stem support, it is then 
whipped and wrung by the high, drying winds or exposed to the attacks 
of the cucumber beetle. 

Seed will germinate readily when weather conditions are favorable, if 
planted at about the depth of one and one-half inches. 

When the seed leaves are nearly to the surface, the hills should be 
raked off, removing any crust or dry lumps which may obstruct the little 
melon plant. Plenty of seed should be used to provide against a loss in 
handling the hills, or from the attacks of insects. It also affords a chance 
to select the thriftiest individual plants when the thinning is done. Owing 
to the injuries from the striped cucumber beetle, the thinning should be 
delayed until the plants have about the fifth leaf, when the beetle will 
not do much more injury, the extra plants in the hill should be destroyed 
by pinching or cutting off the stems, as pulling them out may disturb the 
plants to be left. 



INSECT ENEMIES 

We will discuss this subject from the growers' standpoint only simply 
mentioning the methods that have proven to be the most successful under 
Colorado conditions. Doubtless in other states there are other pests and 
other conditions to influence the results. 

No sooner has the seed germinated, than the struggle for existence 
begins; an effectual precaution is to plant plenty of seed, scattering it 
well in the hill, and even replanting before it is evidently necessary, — 
usually some replanting is required anyway. Crop rotation also, is often 
a good way of avoiding infested fields, in fact, "prevention is better than 
cure," in fighting insects and plant diseases. 

The destruction of insect-harbors, such as weeds, old vines and plants, 
should be given more consideration, and the cultivation of the fields in 
the late fall, winter and early spring, will destroy many eggs and insects 
that pass the winter in the soil, — grasshoppers and cutworms for instance. 

THE STRIPED CUCUxMBER BEETLE. 

This little black and yellow striped beetle, about a quarter of an 
inch long, is doubtless one of the most common melon pests, especially 
when the plants are young and in the two-leaf stage; long lists of reme- 
dies have been tried, but the best that experienced entomologists have to 
suggest is to spray the little plants as soon as possible with arsenate of 
lead, at about the usual, three-pounds-to-the-fifty gallon formula. 

The beetles are not killed by this remedy but it acts as an efficient 
repellant. Spraying with the Bordeaux mixture is also recommended, but 

27 



the Bordeaux is better for the little black flea-beetles when they bother, 
as they do at times, but they usually work more on the cabbage, radish 
and turnip. The best means of applying sprays to small plants is the 
small type of sprayer that can be easily carried over the field, the type that 
has an air chamber in which pressure is pumped in, and that has a cut-off 
on the nozzle that works like a trigger, thus allowing the hills to be sprayed 
with little waste of the material. A very good spray pump of this type is 
The Brown Auto Spray No. 1, manufactured by The E. C. Brown Co., 
Rochester, N. Y. 

Dusting the hills with air slacked lime, through a common cheese 
cloth sack is an old means of fighting the beetles but is not as effective 
as the arsenate of lead spray. 

THE MELON APHIS. 

The melon aphis is doubtless the most serious pest that the canta- 
loupe has to contend against in many places, and one against which re- 
sistance is least effectual where conditions are favorable to the aphis. 

Fortunately for the growers in Colorado, the natural enemies of the 
aphis usually hold them in check quite effectually; the lady-beetle, the 
Syrphus flies and the lace-winged fly are the principal enemies to the 
aphis, some seasons a little parasitic fly destroys many aphis. 

The only effective measure seems to be a careful watch of the fields 
to destroy the first plants found to be infected with aphis, as it seems 
that only a few insects are able to pass the winter, and they seem to 
spread from a few isolated points, and if these can be destroyed by 
finding them and burj'ing them, early, has seemed to be the only plan to 
adopt, as spraying and fumigation has been tried by the most competent 
experts with very "unsatisfactory results. 

Spraying with "Blackleaf 40," one ounce to ten gallons of water, with 
a little soap, say seven ounces, is the most effective spray where a few 
hills become infested, but where the whole field becomes infested, spraying 
has proven useless. 

The introduction of the natural enemies, like the lady-beetles has 
been tried in California with some promise, but this plan is in an ex- 
perimental stage as yet. The necessity of supplying the enemy as soon 
as the aphis appears, makes this plan rather impractical for the grower. 

Destroying the v\finter harbor or host plant of the melon-aphis would 
seem to be the best measure to adopt if possible; this winter harbor has 
not fully been determined for some points. 

THE PICKLE WORM. 

We have received many complaints from growers in the Southern 
part of the United States of injuries from this worm; we have made care- 
ful inquiry to find the best information on this pest, but we are sorry that 
there is no known remedy as yet, other than the general precautions of 
clean farming, rotation of crops and fall plowing; in the more northern 
melon districts, the attacks of this insect are apt to be only periodical, 
which is true with nearly all insects, they appear in waves, one year they 
may be very destructive and the next season will hardly be seen, so, there 
is no need of giving up because there have been insect pests one year. The 
eggs of the larvae of the pickle worm are deposited on the buds and tender 
shoots of the plants and as the young worm hatches, it feeds in the angles 
of the stems and leaves, and if the plants were well sprayed with arsenate 
of lead, the first broods would be largely held in check, and subsequent 
sprays might be profitable. 

28 




^ K^h^^ [^ Breeders AssociATio 



PLANT DISEASES 

Crop, rotation, seed selection, or breeding for disease resistance offer 
the best means of controlling plant diseases; the spraying of the crop 
with Bordeaux mixture or other fungicides is about the only other means 
at hand. In Colorado, spraying has not proven as successful as is reported 
to be in other states, doubtless due to different climatic conditions. 

Careful control of irrigation seems to offer one means of lessening the 
attacks of some of the fungus troubles in the arid sections under irrigation. 



HARVESTING 

After all injuries to the crop have been explained and remedial 
measures suggested, there still remains one great cause of poor returns 
from the cantaloupe crop, viz., careless and unscrupulous methods of mar- 
keting. When cantaloupes are scarce and sales are quick, there seems 
to be no power on earth that will stay the hand of the average grower 
as he pushes his crop onto the market, with the encouragement of advices 
from his progressive (?) commission merchant; together they have pro- 
duced a glutted market with inferior products, instead of protecting the 
markets with a quality that would increase consumption, they simply let 
it fill up with everything and anything, and neither the grower or the 
consumer is benefited. It is common for growers to admit that they 
are shipping cantaloupes that are not fit to be eaten, and it, is not strange 
that a similar complaint comes from the consumer. Not till the grower 
is honest with himself, should he expect good returns. 



PICKING 

When green or over-ripe melons are allowed to go onto the markets, 
the trouble usually is in the picking; careless or mistaken ideas often 
prevailing. There is a very narrow limit in the stage of ripeness that 
a cantaloupe can be picked and have it in the right condition for distant 
markets. On one hand, it can not be picked so green as a tomato or 
lemon, and still ripen during shipment to fair quality, nor, on the other 
hand, can it be allowed to show any distinct color of ripeness, like an 
apple, without it becomes too soft on long shipments. 

It should be ripe enough so the flesh will be sweet when cut open, 
yet too hard to be eaten for a day or two; it requires skill and experience 
to determine the proper stage. 

Jocularly, it has been said, "The cantaloupe has three stages in three 
days, — green, ripe and rotten." This expresses the fact that there is a 
very short period for marketing the crop in good condition, yet if picked 
at the proper stage, handled right, under refrigeration it can be shipped 
to distant markets in quite normal condition. 

It is hard to describe to a novice, just how to detect the right stage 
to pick a cantaloupe; there is first, a very slight change of color in the 
interstices of the netting, hardly enough, however, to attract the attention 
of the inexperienced; second, it is tried with a pressure of the thumb 
or forefirger, when it should "slip," that is, separate in the same manner 
as when real ripe; but requiring some little force but not enough to break 
the stem or flesh out, conditions of the vines, and climate will at times 
vary the picker's judgment to some extent; but by cutting occasionally 
a melon the point can be decided. It is very essential that pickers be 
carefully instructed, and closely watched, for the good returns should not 
be expected from green, or overripe cantaloupes. 

29 




^fec^vK^.S2;^cS,^ 



PACKING AND CRATING 

The fruit should be carefully handled, not bruised, or roughly shaken 
to loosen the seed cavity, they should be hurried to the shade and crated 
as soon as possible; the cantaloupes should be carefully graded before 
crating, not only as to size, but for condition of ripeness; for there will 
always be some a little too ripe which must not be crated with the 
green-ripes, or the markets will suffer. In grading, the ripe melons can 
often be marketed in local or nearby markets, and the ones just right 
reserved for the long distance shipments. 

In crating, the layers must be uniform, and tight, but not so crowded 
as to crush or bruise the flesh, yet there should not be a loose melon in 
the crate if it is expected to carry well. 

In crating, the ends of the crate should be supported on the crating 
table, so that the slats can spring down in the center of the crate, then 




Plate No. 18— Three styles of packing. 

when the crate is finished and nailed up there will be no spring of the 
slats to loosen the pack when the crate is picked up. 

The crate has been the standard package for a long distance haul, 
but there is a needed reform in the matter of grading and packing canta- 
loupes, as the old style grading of "pony," "standard" and "jumbo" sizes 
has proven unsatisfactory. The standard 45-melon crate is good, but the 
"pony" has included too many immature cantaloupes, and has not been 
profitable in general and should be discarded. The "jumbo" crate is too 
heavy to handle well, and often difficult to crate well, when there are only 
a few cantaloupes that run to the jumbo sizes. 

We submit the accompanying illustration of three styles of crating 
cantaloupes which will prove adequate to handle the marketable canta- 
loupes in the simplest way; with only two styles of crates required. 

30 



^t>^v^* [ Bpffdfpc AccoriATioi^ 



The standard sized cantaloupes would be first crated in a regular 
standard crate 12x12x2 4, 4 5 cantaloupes to the crate, then a size larger 
packed in the same sized crate with 36 cantaloupes to the crate, packed 
with what is known as the "diamond" pack, — as shown in the halftone. 

The larger jumbo sizes then to be crated in a flat, one-layer crate 
with twelve cantaloupes to the crate, this crate would probably need to 
be about 5x14x24, this would be easy to handle, and popular for private 
home trade. With this style of grading and packing, there could be just 
three classifications, "Standard 45s," "Standard 36s" and "flats" and 
there would be less bruising, trying to crowd large cantaloupes into 
crates, and handling large unwieldy jumbo crates, besides simplifying the 
number of different crates. 



MARKETING 

Marketing a crop of cantaloupes to good advantage is probably the 
most perplexing phase of the industry; we might classify the different 
methods of marketing in order to consider them: 

First, Selling to the Local Trade — There is little to be said on this, 
other than the grower already knows, good goods, and fair treatment. 
Second, Selling on Consignment — This seems to be like "stepping out into 
the unknown," there are so many uncertainties. There are several factors 
to consider here; the growers should be organized, in order to buy crates 
.and load to advantage, they must take pains to find responsible commission 
men, they must plan to keep in touch with the markets, to know what the 
market needs and demands, and live up to their end of the deal, in ship- 
ping only first class cantaloupes; they should have some plan of co- 
operation so that in times of limited markets they could prorate the sales: 
or limit the growers to a certain number of crates to be shipped per acre 
when the market was glutted, and only a certain amount should be sent 
to the market, as it is better to leave the cantaloupes in the field than to 
ship and lose the work and still injure the glutted markets. 

Probably the greatest encouragement in recent years for the canta- 
loupe growers, is the plan of the cantaloupe distributors forming an ex- 
change, and co-operating in holding the markets free from glutted condi- 
tions. The plan is to have the distributors in a district get together each 
day and divide or prorate the shipments to certain markets, and not send 
to any one market more than it is possible for that market to dispose of; 
this plan has been worked to perfection in the Imperial Valley in California, 
and in the Rocky Ford district, the past season, and growers everywhere 
should refuse to deal with a commission firm who would refuse to co- 
operate in this way; — growers' melons have been used to fight their neigh- 
bors too long. Third, Marketing in Transit — There are several commission 
firms who make this a specialty, in handling the large shipments from the 
big melon districts; in reality it does not differ from the commission form 
of selling, only the organization of a marketing system to keep in touch 
with the different markets and their needs; this could be handled by a 
competent manager of a large Association if it were not for the short 
season that the cantaloupes are handled from any one district, the large 
commission firms having the same organization that they can utilize for 
other products, hence it is doubtful if there is any better plan than to 
market through some of the well established agencies. Fourth, Marketing 
for Cash — This is the Utopian idea of the growers everywhere, and as long 
as cantaloupes are selling well it is alright, but when the price goes down 
the cash buyer is gone. 

31 




V 1<S^'^^ I BREEDERS ASSOCIATIOR 



Strains and Varieties of Rocky Ford Cantaloupes 

There is a prevalent idea that there is a variety of cantaloupe known 
as "Rocky Fords," strictly, this is erroneous; unless it is a name to em- 
brace the miscellaneous cheap seed that is purchased from Rocky Ford, 
and catalogued under that name by a number of seed firms. 

The fact is, the Netted Gem was the original variety used to develop 
the Rocky Ford cantaloupe industry, but thirty years of selecting and 
crossing has developed greatly improved types that are distinct and very 
different in many respects; but there are really only two or three types; 
one, — the "Pollock," has been renamed "Eden Gem," "Netted Rock," 
"Rust resistant" and so on, and the selection ideals followed by the men 
exploiting the new names have established slightly different strains of the 
Pollock. Hence there is a good deal of confusion in regard to Rocky 
Ford seed. 

We are on the ground and have been familiar with the whole history 
of the different strains and without prejudice we have selected, after care- 
ful tests what we know to be the best strains, and we have adopted a syste- 
matic method of selecting and breeding which will develop and maintain 
the traits that the different strains are designed to represent. 

The markets have a demand for both the GREEN, and SALMON- 
TINTED flesh in the Rocky Ford strains of cantaloupes; this is entirely 
distinct from the orange colored meat of the Osage types; and the growers 
also demand an extra early strain beside the main crop sort. We have 
aimed to meet these demands in the strains that we hereafter describe. 

KUST-RESISTANT POLLOCIi, SALMON-TINTED, NO. 25. 

The original "Pollock" was the result of a hybrid, as running through 
nearly all the Pollock strains there are the two colors in flesh and various 
combinations of them, — Green and Salmon-tinted. 

Through individual plant selection we have isolated these colors so 
as to run almost uniformly in two strains which we believe to be the best. 
Our Salmon-tinted No. 25, is a remarkable strain, not only for Its uniform- 
ity, but for its netting, color of the flesh, quality of the flesh — both texture 
and flavor, — disease-resistance of the vine, prolific yields and ability to 
"make good" in various soil conditions; for out of over a thousand cus- 
tomers, we have not had a complaint of any kind from this No. 25; we 
would especially recommend this strain to those who have had dissatis- 
faction in other strains from any cause. The Pollock strains are later 
than some others we have to offer, but for quality they have no equal. 

KUST-RESISTANT POLLOCK, GREEN FLESHED. 

Our Green-fleshed Pollock is very similar to the other Pollock, except 
in the color of the flesh, which runs more green, shading to yellow at 
the cavity; we would recommend this strain for markets that demand a 
green-fleshed cantaloupe. The general character and appearance of the 
two strains of Pollock are the same; we class these two Pollocks as the 
best late or main crop varieties, of Rocky Ford Netted Gems. 

THE RYAN'S EARLY WATTERS STRAIN. 

There are localities where the early cantaloupe is very profitable and 
there is a demand for an early maturing cantaloupe; our Ryan's Early 
Watters meets that demand; this strain holds the best records of high 
returns, on account of its very prolific yields of extra early cantaloupes. 
In appearance it is almost identical with the Pollock type, it has the green 
colored flesh, and the same general flavor. We have bred it as carefully, 
but the special point in the selection has been proliflc, early maturity. 
This strain germinates very strong, vigorous plants, the fruit sets early, 

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> l<y>-'^^ 1 Breeders AssociATioR 



and the crop matures in a very short time, yet is extremely prolific, often 
making yields of two hundred and fifty crates, per acre. At Rocky Ford 
it begins to ripen about Aug. 1, and is fully a week earlier than the Pollock 
strains. We would recommend it where the tendency to fungus troubles 
is not too marked, and for a small portion of a grower's plantings it will 
doubtless pay in many locations. 

EARLY RUST-RESISTANT, HYBRID NO. 2. 

Several years ago we succeeded in getting a cross of the Rust-Re- 
sistant Pollock and the Early Watters, this we have named our Hybrid 
No. 2. It combines the two characteristics of early maturity and disease 
resistance. This strain has a remarkable vigor of growth, until it has 
set and developed a large set of fruit, and then the growth seems to 
stop, — that is the new shoots, the vines seeming to throw all the force into 
the development of the fruit. This trait seems to make it desirable in one 
point, as it has not been so seriously attacked by the melon aphis as the 
strains that have plenty of young succulent shoots. 

This strain has now been grown three seasons for market, and while 
we have priced it higher than our other strains, each year we have been 
short of this seed, but this season we have grown a good quantity, and 
expect to lower the price to the same as our other seed. 

We consider this Hybrid No. 2 the best early strain by all odds. It 
is early as the Watters, and almost as disease-enduring as the Pollock 
strains; it is very prolific, and especially so in producing a heavy yield of 
the first early sets. 

The flesh of this strain is green, the netting exceptionally good, the 
cantaloupes are rather inclined to be longer in form than our other strains, 
and is not quite as regular in size, yet its many good qualities make it 
the most desirable cantaloupe to plant for early; in our estimation, a very 
good mate for our No. 2 5, where an early and late strain are both desired. 

NEW STRAINS OF PROMISE. 

Triple Hybrid No. 3. We have succeeded in blending the good quali- 
ties of three varieties into one strain which for three seasons we have 
tested in nursery selections and we feel confident that it has great merit; 
the melon has an exceedingly heavy close netting, and thick flesh, of a 
salmon tint at the center, with a deep zone of emerald near the rind. This 
cantaloupe runs rather large at present, but on account of its exceptionally 
attractive appearance, we believe it would be valuable to market growers, 
especially for local trade, we do not care to offer this seed for sale until 
it has had a test in the different districts, and we are anxious to place it 
in the hands of a large number of market gardeners, to test, throughout 
the country. 

Therefore we will send free to any one sending us a list of the market 
gardeners of their vicinity interested in growing cantaloupes, a large two- 
to-four ounce package of this new cantaloupe. 

The Osage type of cantaloupe that has been grown for several years 
around Ordway, Colo., adjacent to the Rocky Ford district, is becoming 
very popular on the market on account of its exceptionally good keeping 
quality, and its thick, orange colored flesh that has an exceptionally spicy 
flavor which many are fond of. But this variety has the weakness of 
having a very unattractive form and appearance, and a very undesirable 
tendency to crack open when nearly ripe, thus resulting in a great loss to 
growers, and in fact on this account, this variety has not been a success 
except in a few localities. 

We are very glad to announce that we have a hybrid of this Defender 
cantaloupe and the Pollock, which has great promise of combining the 

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" \K9^^~ I Breeders association 



fine netting and appearance, and disease-resistance of the Pollock, with the 
deep orange flesh, small seed cavity, and spicy flavor of the Ordway canta- 
loupe. However, we have no seed of this Hybrid to distribute this season. 

The following table gives the usual time of planting and the period 

of harvest for the different districts where we have furnished seed; which 

we have taken from reports we have received from some of our customers: 

District and State. Dates of Planting. Period of Ripening. 

Brownsville, Texas Feb. 10 to 20 May 10 to June 10. 

Gainesville, Pla Feb. 10 to 20 May 10 to June. 

Imperial Valley, Calif Feb. 20 to March May 20 to July 1. 

Lake Charles, La March 1 to 15 June 1 to July 1. 

Northern Louisiana March 20 to April 20 June 20 to July 20. 



Blackville, S. C Apr 

Belton, Ark Apr 

Southern Mississippi Apr 

Glendale, Ariz Apr 

Atoka, Okla Apr 

Decker, Ind Apr 

Southwest Arkansas Apr 

Moapa, Nev Apr 

Dover, Del Apr 

Anna, 111 Vpr 

Knox Co., Tenn Apr 

Greenriver, Utah Apr 

Eastern Washington Apr 

Medford, Oregon Apr 



1 1 to 15 June 15 to July 10. 

1 1 to 20 July 1 to Aug. 1. 

1 1 to 10 July 1 to Aug. 1. 

1 1 to 20 July 5 to Aug. 5. 

1 1 to May July 10 to Sept. 

1 1, in hot beds July 10 to Aug. 20. 

1 1 to 15 July 1 to Aug. 1. 

1 1 to 15 July 20 to Aug. 10. 

1 5 to 20 Aug. 1 to 15. 

1 5 to 15 Aug. 1 to 20. 

1 20 to May 20 July 20 to Sept. 

1 20 to May July 25 to Aug. 25. 

1 20 to May Aug. 1 to Sept. 

1 10 to May Aug. 1 to Sept. 

Parsonsburg, Md May 1 to 18 July 20 to Aug. 15. 

Northwest Arkansas May 1 to 15 July 20 to Aug. 15. 

Rocky Ford, Colo May 1 to June 1 Aug. 5 to Oct. 1. 

St. Thomas, Pa May 10 to 20 Aug. 25 to Sept. 10. 

Fredericksburg, Va May 10 Aug. 10 to Sept. 1. 

King Hill, Idaho May 10 Aug. 10 to Sept. 

Michigan May 20 Aug. 20 to Sept. 20. 

The above table is far from complete, and in many cases may not 
Indicate the exact dates or range of season, but it is worked out from 
the material we had at hand, we would be glad to receive at any time 
any additions or corrections, so that in time we may complete the table so 
as to serve as a guide for growers. 

It will be noted that there is a wide range of differences in the time 
of ripening when cantaloupes are planted at about the same time, due to 
the different seasons, the climatic conditions, and the soil, and these same 
differences make different results in the appearance and quality of the 
cantaloupes to quite an extent. 



A WORD ABOUT ORDERING SEED 

In order to save good seed from fields from which no cantaloupes 
are marketed, we are compelled to waive the chances of marketing our 
crop in August and September at prices often more remunerative than 
what we would receive from seed; besides having to wait six to seven 
months for the returns from the seed sales, which are usually made in the 
following spring. But we have based our prices of seed on the average 
return from cantaloupes for a series of years, and hence we do not expect 
to make any violent changes, as we have gone to considerable effort to 

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' " Ko^fvj I Breeders AssociATio 



establish our trade in liigh grade seed and in the long run we expect it 
will pay, yet it can readily be seen that there is little incentive for the 
average grower to save good seed without an assured market, to say noth- 
ing about the time and care that is required to select and develop the 
seed, in fact, with the work of marketing this crop, the ordinary grower 
cannot afford to save good seed, and tliis accounts in a large measure, 
for there being so little really first class seed on the open market. 

Our efforts to establish a dependable source for reliable cantaloupe 
seed seem to be appreciated by the great majority of growers. 

Most of our customers have been prompt in their remittances and 
business like in their dealings, but a few slow and uncollected accounts 
can easily overbalance any advantage in saving high grade seed; therefore, 
TO MAKE IT WORTH WHILE TO SAVE GOOD SEED WE MUST INSIST 
ON A MORE STRICT POLICY IN SENDING OUT OUR SEED, AND 
HEREAFTER WE WILL FILL ONLY ORDERS THAT ARE ACCOMPA- 
NIED WITH THE REMITTANCE, OR THAT ARE ORDERED WITH THE 
ENDORSEMENT OF A BANK. WE WILL SEND SEED C. O. D. IF TEN 
PER CENT OF THE AMOUNT IS SENT IN ADVANCE. We will also 
book orders, and reserve the seed to such time that the customer can make 
his remittance, thus assuring him of his seed. 

All our seed is accompanied by the following certificate which as- 
sures the purchaser of the breeding back of the seed, if he receives the 
package with the seal unbroken: 



Seed Certificate 

OF 

The Rocky Ford Cantaloupe Seed Breeders' Association 

Rocky Ford, Colorado 

Cantaloupe Seed accompanied by this Certificate, signed and sealed, 
with the package unbroken, is guaranteed to have been produced by this 
Association, in accordance with the most approved method of seed breed- 
ing. SEED FROM THIS ASSOCIATION IS SOLD ONLY WITH THIS 
CERTIFICATE, AND EACH SACK OF SEED IS SEALED WITH A 
LEAD CAR SEAL, (except when sent in the mail). The purchaser is here- 
by assured of first grade selection, of a pure strain of cantaloupe seed of the 

Variety. No 

This seed has been grown from pedigreed stock seed, and selected 
from a field grown exclusively for seed, and the requirements for this 
grade of selection were, standard size, close netting, fully matured; and 
having no defects that could injure the results of the crop to be grown 
from this seed. This seed was all cut by hand, and washed in a sluice 
box, which floats off all light, immature seed of low specific gravity, thus 
insuring the highest germination possible. 

This certificate is intended as a Pure Seed Label to identify our seed. 
and it shall not be construed as a crop insurance, as poor results might be 
due to any number of adverse influences, over which we have no control. 

We do, however, guarantee that the seed is as represented, but that 
this guarantee shall cover only the cost of the seed to the purchaser, when 
a reasonable ground for complaint is established. 

In testimony whereof, the seal of this Association is hereby affixed this 

19 

Secretary. 

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(^ l<u,'-f^M Breeders AssociATK 



Price Quotations and Other Information 

We offer the following strains of cantaloupe seed at retail, prepaid, 
to any part of the United States: 

Rust-Resistant Pollock, green fleshed 15 cents per oz.; $1.50 per lb. 

Rust-Resistant Pollock No. 25, salmon tint. . . 15 cents per oz.; $1.50 per lb. 

Ryan's Early Watters 15 cents per oz.; $1.50 per lb. 

Early Rust-Resistant Hybrid No. 2 15 cents per oz.; $1.50 per lb. 

In ordering seed, please reineniber reniittaiice must accompany order. 

We will hold orders for a reasonable time for shipment or will send 
seed C. O. D. when 10 per cent of the purchase price is sent with the order. 

We are sometimes asked to make lower quotations to meet the price 
of other firms, but we will not attempt to meet prices of other concerns. 
The prices we ask for seed are reasonable, if the quality we furnish is 
considered, for two reasons; first, because the seed is saved from fields 
grown exclusively for seed, where no cantaloupes are marketed, and sec- 
ond, because the market price of the grade of cantaloupes the seed is 
saved from, is nearly equal to the price we ask for the seed, to say nothing 
of the time and experience the seed breeding requires. A high grade article 
can not be sold with profit in competition with cheap grade articles. 

Owing to the existence of several cantaloupe growers' associations 
being organized here at Rocky Ford, mail intended for the Cantaloupe 
Seed Breeders' Association should be addressed to James B. Ryan, Secre- 
tary, Rocky Ford, Colorado, to avoid delays. 



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